Tell Virgin Active to ban swim coach Tim Osrin

**Update** Our campaign has just won! Virgin have terminated the contract of Tim Osrin, as a swim coach and member of their health clubs. But the battle against gender based violence and racism isn't over. Click here to join our other campaign!

Kenilworth swimming school owner Tim Osrin got out of his car and assaulted Cynthia Joni, a domestic worker who was walking to work on October 2. Osrin was subsequently charged with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, but told the Weekend Argus that he was not sure “why he is being victimised”. He has defended his actions by stating that he thought Cynthia was a 'prostitute' and that she has trumped up the charges because he is white [1].

We must turn our outrage at racism and gender based violence into action. While Osrin faces charges, we need to fight for justice in the court of public opinion. Osrin’s swimming school runs classes for adults and children at 4 Virgin Active gyms across Cape Town. In the past Virgin has claimed it won't tolerate racism [2]. Let’s demand that they stop someone who’s racist and violent actions destroy people’s dignity.

Ungakuxhasa oku?

We the undersigned demand that you immediately ban swimming school owner and coach Tim Osrin of the Simply Swimming school from using the Virgin Active gyms in Gardens, Athlone, Mitchells’s Plain and Steenberg. The Weekend Argus has reported how Tim Osrin not only assaulted Cynthia Joni as she walked to work in Kenilworth; but after he was charged with assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, he made the racist claim that Cynthia is “probably thinking, ‘this white guy slapped me, great … here comes my Christmas box’. People do these things, you know.” Mr Faragher-Thomas, you have previously claimed that Virgin have “absolutely zero tolerance for prejudicial behaviour”, and we expect you to follow through with this commitment.

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